A well-trained athlete may develop cardiomegaly due to ventricular hypertrophy. This can be distinguished from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy by careful evaluation of the electrocardiogram and echocardiogram. This can be important in identifying the athlete with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy who is at risk for sudden death.
Feature |
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy |
Athletic Heart |
left ventricular septal wall thickness |
> 15 mm |
< 15 mm |
diameter of left atrium |
> 4 cm |
< 4 cm |
left ventricular end diastolic diameter |
< 45 mm |
> 45 mm |
left ventricular hypertrophy |
asymmetric, and does not regress |
concentric, and regresses within 3 months after training stops |
diastolic function |
abnormal, with impaired relaxation |
normal |
systolic function |
hyperdynamic |
|
ECG voltage increase due to increased left ventricular mass |
present |
present |
other ECG findings |
very abnormal |
normal |
Purpose: To help distinguish hypertrophic cardiomyopathy from left ventricular hypertrophy in an athlete.
Specialty: Cardiology
Objective: imaging studies, other testing, criteria for diagnosis
ICD-10: I42.1,